"The shame and social stigma faced by these women and children
should be redirected towards the brutal perpetrators of violence.
UN chief Ban calls for halving of numbers of displaced by 2030
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon says he is disturbed by the use of sexual violence as a tactic of terrorism.
In
his message on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual
Violence in Conflict, observed every year on June 19, Ban said Daesh,
Boko Haram and other extremist groups were using sexual violence as a
means of attracting and retaining fighters and to generate revenue.
"Abducted
women, men, girls and boys suffer the most terrible trauma through
brutal physical and sexual assault, child and forced marriages and
sexual slavery on a massive scale.
"The abduction
of more than 200 girls from Chibok in Nigeria, and the continued tragedy
of women and girls subjected to forced marriage or sexual slavery by
extremist groups in the Middle East, are two of the most horrific
examples of the use of sexual violence as a tactic of terrorism.
"I
call for the immediate release of all those taken captive and for the
care and support of those who return, who can suffer from social
isolation and depression.
"Women and girls with
children may need specialised medical and psycho-social support, and
this must extend to the children themselves, who can suffer complete
rejection.
"The shame and social stigma faced by these women and children should be redirected towards the brutal perpetrators of violence.
"We
must continue to speak up for the women, girls, men and boys whose
bodies for too long have been considered the spoils of war,'' he said.
Ban said the world had continued to witness appalling levels of sexual violence in wartime.
"There has also been clear progress and unprecedented political momentum to address these crimes.
"Sexual
violence is now widely recognised as a deliberate strategy used to
shred the fabric of society; to control and intimidate communities and
to force people from their homes.
"It is rightly
seen as a threat to international peace and security, a serious
violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, and a
major impediment to post-conflict reconciliation and economic
development," he said.
The UN chief also said that
there has been landmark cases against political and military leaders,
demonstrating that the era of impunity for sexual violence as a tool of
war is over.
He paid tribute to the many thousands
of caregivers, medical practitioners, advocates, and others on the
frontline of this battle, who are fighting for change.
NAN
reports that on June 19, 2008, the 15-member UN Security Council
unanimously adopted Resolution 1820 (2008) on Sexual Violence against
Civilians in Conflict, after a day-long ministerial-level meeting on
“women, peace and security .
The Resolution
condemns the use of rape and other forms of sexual violence in conflict
situations, stating that rape can constitute a war crime, a crime
against humanity, or a constitutive act with respect to genocide.
The
Resolution also calls for effective steps to prevent and respond to
acts of sexual violence as a way of contributing to the maintenance of
international peace and security.
Council urged
the 193 Member States to comply with their obligations for prosecuting
the perpetrators of sexual violence, ensuring that all victims of sexual
violence, particularly women and girls, have equal protection under the
law and equal access to justice.
Members also
urged states to end impunity for sexual violence as part of a
comprehensive approach to seeking sustainable peace, justice, truth, and
national reconciliation.
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